Get your business processes in order. Meet with your department heads so you can create a work flow that shows how FAST will affect the company's business processes.

Set up re-training classes. People won't cooperate if they feel they are being automated out of existence. FAST will automate much of the work accounts payable and purchasing clerks used to do by pushing paper and keying in invoices. Make provisions to retrain the accounts payable and purchasing clerks to be data managers who will ensure that all the data that goes into FAST is up-to-date and accurate. Supers will also need training on using handhelds and operating automated schedules, and managers will need training on how to make the most of the real-time data FAST delivers.

Meet with your subcontractors. Your subs have to know that the company is moving to a purchase order system and will no longer be accepting invoices. It must be made clear that subs will be expected to bid for the work—and what they bid is what will be paid. Builders looking to expand their extranets should work closely with subs to help them find the right technology and offer classes so they can learn how to use the new system.

Be patient. Deploying a back-office system is not a plug-and-play operation. Expect this to take six months to a year. Lean on FAST to help you come up with a phased deployment schedule that suits your business.